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Kit
26-03-10, 01:37
On a census I have a grandchild living with his grandparents from 1851 to 1871.

The grandparents eldest daughter is living with them in 1851 and 1871. She was unmarried in 1851, married in 1861 and living 2 houses away and widowed in 1871.

The only baptism and birth reg I can find has an unusual surname as the middle name. The baptism does not say illegitimate but the fathers occupation has spinster.

Other illegitimate births I've seen either say base born or illegitimate or just have mothers name only.

Was putting spinster a polite was of saying illegitimate or was illegitimate not put because the father was known, as indicated by the middle surname?

Guinevere
26-03-10, 04:54
The middle name of an illegitimate child was often an indication of the father. In this case I think the vicar was being kind.

Kit
26-03-10, 07:17
Thanks Gwynne.

I had a look at baptism and marriage info and I suspect the man may have been married. Assuming of course the middle name is indicating the father.

Sadly the full name does not appear to be used again.